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180.: From WILLIAM STRAHAN - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 6 Correspondence of Adam Smith [1740]

Edition used:

Correspondence of Adam Smith, ed. E. C. Mossner and I. S. Ross, vol. VI of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1987).

Part of: The Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith, 7 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


180.

From WILLIAM STRAHAN

  • Address: Adam Smith Esqr., Kirkaldy, Fife Shire, N.B.

MS., RSE viii. 50; Rae 309–10.

London, 26 Nov. 1776

Dear Sir

I received yours of the 13th inclosing the Addition to Mr Hume’s Life, which I like exceedingly.1 But as the whole put together is very short and will not make a Volume even of the smallest Size, I have been advised by some very good Judges to annex some of his Letters to me on political Subjects. What think you of this? I will do nothing without your Advice and Approbation;2 nor would I, for the World publish any Letter of his, but such as, in your Opinion, would do him Honour. Mr Gibbon thinks such as I have shewn him would have that Tendency. Now, if you approve of this in any Manner, you may perhaps add greatly to the Collection from your own Cabinet and those of Mr John Home, Dr Robertson, and others of your mutual Friends, which you may pick up before you return hither. But if you wholly disapprove of this Scheme, say nothing of it, here let it drop, for without your Concurrence I will not publish a single Word of his. I should be glad, however, of your Sentiments as soon as you can, and let me know, at the same time, as nearly as may be, what Day you propose to be in London; for I must again repeat to you, that without your Approbation I will do nothing.

Your Proposal to print the next Edition of your Work in 4 vols Octavo, at our Expence, and to divide the Profits,3 is a very fair one, and therefore very agreeable to Mr Cadell and me. Inclosed is the List of Books delivered to you of the 1st Edit.

My Wife and Daughter join kindest Compliments to your amiable Parent, who I hope is still able to enjoy your Company, which must be her greatest Comfort. I am ever

Dear Sir Your faithful and affectionate humble Servant

Will: Strahan

[1 ]See Letters 178 and 179.

[2 ]See Letter 181 addressed to Strahan, dated 2 Dec. 1776. Predictably Smith was against publishing private correspondence.

[3 ]Refers to WN ed. 2. See Letter 179, n. 2.